-> which it is a pretty unique kind of game that doesn't quite exist outside of Sonic, so it could be that part of its huge Bad Game legacy comes from people who are still figuring out "how to play a Sonic game" exponentially compounded with fighting the jank of 2006

Once you understand that, you also understand why there are so many Sonic fans who "defend 2006", who say it would've been "a great game" if it was properly polished. I looked down on people who said that, but now having played it, I completely understand where fans like that are coming from